The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-08
fspecIal to the Press.l !


argument made by the President for the re-
moval of our protection against foreign COM
petition is the old one repeatedly made by
the enemies of our industrial progress, and
effectively answered in nearly every school
district of the land, and so thoroughly dis
proved by logic, facts, and the demonstra-
tions of experience and history, as to need
no answer from us. We acknowledge that
our small holdings our scattered, unor.
ganized condition, make us the easy prey OF
the free trader, but had the right to expect
something different from the Chlef Execu-
tive of nation at once most happy, pros
porous and contented of any OF the world,
and made so by the policy of protection and
development which he now seeks to destroy.
We had the right to expect that our Presi-
dent would favor the wool growers OF the
United States, and we confess our deep dis
appointment that instead he fav0rs the In
terests of foreign competitors.
Justly alarmed at the position, we make
an appeal from his recommendations to all
the people, to the seven and three-fourtns
millions of our fellow citizens engaged In
agriculture, to the millions engaged in manu-
featuring, to the army of wage earners,
whose wages are maintained by the protect
i've system, and to the tradesmen and mer-
chants, whose prosperity depends upon ours,
confident that their judgment and decision
will be based upon justice and patriotism,
and will be, therefore, for the maintenance
which the country is indebted for its unex-
ampled development and prosperity. 10 de-
monstrate the injustice OF the Presidents S
policy, and the fallacy of the remedy he pro-
poses for the reduction OF the surplus. we
point to the fact that if the whole amount
derived from wool was abolished it would re-
duce the surplus only about five millions, or
less than ten cents per capita Of the popula-
ton, which is paid by foreigners, wnlie the
old war taxes he recommends retaining
yield over one hundred and nineteen mil
lions, are direct tax per capita of 50 each
and are what make up the great bulk OF the
surplus hundred and forty Millions which
fosters the most dangerous monopoly
''We would further add the following sta
tistics in regard to the wool industry: The
wool under the tariff of 1867 was less than
81, 1,700,0 600, while under the reduced tariff OF
1853 the revenue last year was over five mil
lions. The number of sheep in the country
in 1884 was $685. 626, in 1887, A. 759 S14; de-
crease of nearly six millions. The diminu-
tion of the annual wool product was over
80, 100000 pounds, thus showing that by re-
ducing the tariff by the act of 1888 increased
the revenue from imported wo0ls, ana dl-
minished the number of sheep in the United
States about IL per cent, and the annual pro-
duct in the same proportion. The PRESIDENT $
policy would bring about the destruction OF
this industry, and the same policy Of reduc-
ti0n or abolition of the tariff would end In
disaster to all the other industrial and pro-
ductive interests of the country"
Taking Peace to Senator'S.
The members of the British Peace Com
mission visited the room of the Senate COM
mittee on foreign relations this morning.
Each of the visitors addressed the senators
setting forth their views and purposes in
connection with the plan of settling interna-
tional controversies by arbitration. The
proceedings were informal.
Mr.. MiIliken on the Message.
Congressman Milliken of Maine, speaking
today of the Presidents message, said: u
agree with the President that the internal
revenue should not be disturbed because it is
levied upon two harmful luxuries. 1t does
not necessarily bear heavily upon any ones
and no person need contribute to it unless he
chooses But radically differ from him in
his views upon the repeal of duties upon i'm
ports. / believe that the repeal of the wool
duty would destroy wool raising in this coun.
try If wool be put on the free list we
should lose both our industry and our reye-
nue. upon it, but IL the duty be simply re-
duced. that would, without doubt, result in
increase in revenue and the surplus in the
treasury, thus defeating the purpose which
the President wishes to accomplish. l rec
ognize the necessity of reducing the surplus
in the treasury, but that. should be done
without crippling the w0oi-growing or any
important interest of the country"
carIisIe's Difficulties.
The probability is that the holiday recess
of Congress will begin on Wednesday, the
21st instant, and last until January 5.
Speaker Carlisle has II days, including
Sundays, in which to make up the commit
tees of the House before the recess. The
vacancies caused on SO many of the leading
members who held chairmanshps or places
cause Mr.. Carlisle more than ordinary solici
tude in mapping out his work.
He was asked IL he thought he could an
nounce the committees before the adjourn
ment for the recess. He replied that it de-
pended entirely upon the course of the mem
bers. If he was allowed to have his owr
way he certainly could dispose of the worl
in two weeks. but if on the other hand he
should try to make the committees to suit
the individual aspirations Of the members il
would certainly take longer than two weeks.
He intends to adapt the members as far az
possible according to their ability and expe
rience Naturally the majority, being law
yers, are most anxious to serve on the judic
| iary committee.
The number of political economists who
are peculiarly qualiaed to serve on the ways
and means committee is also very large thi:
session. The river and harbor statesmen
Pacific railroad attorneys and members o.
that kind multiply faster than flies in sum
mer time, when it is question where they
ought to be placed.
Mr.. Faulkner Gets His Seat.
The contested senatorship of West Virgin
ia has been quickly disposed of by unani
nous report in favor of Mr.. Faulkner.
Estimates of Revenue.
The net increase in the estimates for the
next fiscal year over those of the current
year is S8, 1877, 1929. Net Increase over ap-
proprations for the current year, S23, 737,
002; total estimates for next year, 1884 ,094,
627 estimated revenues for 1889, $40 1868,
The NegotIators.
The Fisheries Commissioners held another
session to-day. 1t is authoratively denied
that the Commissioners are unable to agree
Popular chamberlain.
The Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, Of
the Fisheries Commission, has captured the
fancy of the capital. There is wild scram
BILE among entertainers to secure him fol
their houses. His tables are heaped up with
invitations to dine, TO dance, to take tea. and
wherever he appears an admiring throns
presses about him. No wonder that he de-
clares he is immensely pleased, and believe:
that it will take the greater portion of the
winter to complete the work Of the Comnis-
sion. Prof. Graham Bell gave a dinner in
honor of Mr.. Chamberlain Tuesday evening
last night he entertained Sir Charles Tuppel
and party of gentlemen at dinner. Col
John Hay, who was acquainted with Mr.
Chamberlain in London, invited him for q
meet IS gentlemen. The guests were men OF
affairs Among them were Senators VIM. M
Evarts of New York, John Sherman Of
niia E.,no,nn Hala of Maina / II Haxrlar